Portable computer and method for mounting a flat panel display device thereon

ABSTRACT

A portable computer including a housing having first and second sections, the first section having an information input device and the second section having a case having a first fastening element; a display panel including a second fastening element at a rear surface of the panel, the case and the display panel being attached through the first and second fastening elements; a hinge coupling the first and the second sections to each other; and a display panel support member having a third fastening element, the display panel support member being attached to the display panel through the third fastening element.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent ApplicationNos. 98-44475, filed on Oct. 23, 1998 and 98-44973, filed on Oct. 27,1998, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to a flat panel displaydevice, and more specifically, to a flat panel display device mountingstructure and a method of mounting the flat panel display device to acomputer.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Flat panel display devices include liquid crystal display devices(LCD) which are being used widely, plasma display panels (PDP), andfield emission displays (FED) which have been studied recently and maybe applied to computers in the near future. For convenience ofexplanation, the present invention will be discussed with respect to theLCD as an example of the flat screen type display devices and a portablecomputer mounted with the LCD.

[0006] Referring to FIG. 1, a general portable computer such as a laptopor notebook computer typically includes a body 100, a flat panel displaydevice assembly 110 coupled to the body 100 via a hinge mechanism 124.The flat panel type display device assembly 110 has a flat panel displaydevice 111 and a display case 122 supporting the device 111. The body100 has an input device 102 such as a keyboard. As a flat panel typedisplay device 111, the LCD is widely used in portable computers andflat screen monitors.

[0007] Referring to FIG. 2 which shows conventional assembly structureof the LCD device applied to a conventional portable computer, thedisplay case 122 has a rear case 123 and a front case or frame 121 formounting the LCD device module 130. The rear case or frame 123 has anouter surface and an inner surface and connecting ribs 123 a are formedat the corners.

[0008] The LCD device 130 has an LCD panel 132, a backlight device 134fixed to the back of the LCD panel 132, and a supporting frame 136 forassembling the panel 132 and the backlight device 134 along the edge.

[0009] At the corners of the supporting frame 136, corresponding to thepositions of the ribs 123 a of the rear case 123, a plurality ofprotrusions 136 a having holes are formed.

[0010] For mounting the LCD device 130 to the case 122, the LCD device130 is placed on the rear case 123 and the holes of the supporting frame136 and the ribs 123 a are fastened together preferably by screws 138.The front case 121 is coupled to the rear case 123.

[0011] Hereinafter, the way in which the LCD device is mounted to thecase from the front toward the rear direction is defined as the frontmounting method, and the assembled structure of the LCD device and thecase formed through the front mounting method is defined as the frontmounting structure.

[0012] In the front mounting structure of the LCD device, since theprotrusions 136 a require additional space corresponding to theprotruded width d, the display area of the LCD device is reduced incomparison to the fixed size of the case 122.

[0013] The front mounting structure may also include an additionalfeature to further support the LCD panel, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a conventional LCD device assembly110 includes an LCD panel 112 and a backlight device (not shown) for theLCD panel, and display case 122 supporting the LCD device 111. The LCDpanel 112 and the backlight device are assembled by a supporting frame114 along the edges.

[0015] The display case 122 is coupled to a body 120 via a hingemechanism 124, which may extend from the body 120. The display case 122and the hinge mechanism 124 are assembled through a hinge arm 126,allowing the display device assembly 110 to pivotally move with respectto the body 120.

[0016] Two opposite sides of the supporting frame 114 include flanges114a for assembling the LCD device 111 to the display case 122, andcorners include flanges 114 b for assembling the LCD device 111 to thehinge arm 126. Hereinafter, the former is referred as a fixing flangeand the latter is referred as a mounting flange in this specificationfor distinction purposes. As shown in FIG. 3B, the fixing flanges 114 ahave a protruding width d2 and the mounting flanges 114 b have aprotruding width d1. A screw hole is formed in each of the flanges 114 aand 114 b. On the inner surface of the display case 122, ribs 122 a areformed corresponding to the holes of the fixing flange 114 a.

[0017] To mount the LCD device 111, the hinge arm 126 and the mountingflanges 114 b are screwed together, and the fixing flanges 114 a and theribs 122 a are screwed together by bolts 128.

[0018] In the mounting structure shown in FIG. 3B, the supporting frame114 requires side spaces for the flanges 114 a and 114 b. Therefore, theside space D (d1+d2) results in a reduction of the display area of theLCD panel 112 relative to the display case 122. Moreover, as the displaysize increases, the display case becomes undesirably large, especiallyfor a portable computer such as a laptop computer.

[0019] To solve the above problem and to provide a large display areawith minimal display case size, a new mounting structure is needed forthe LCD device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a portablecomputer and method for mounting a flat panel display device thereonthat substantially obviates one or more of the problems due tolimitations and disadvantages of the related art.

[0021] An object of the present invention is to minimize the non-displayarea of the LCD device.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a computerhaving a flat panel display with a maximum display area and a minimaldisplay case size.

[0023] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be setforth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparentfrom the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realizedand attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the writtendescription and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

[0024] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, aportable computer includes a body having an information input device; acase coupled to the body and having inner and outer surfaces; and a flatpanel display device having a display surface and a rear surface, therear surface being fixed to the inner surface of the case.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, a portablecomputer includes a body having an information input device; a flatpanel display case coupled to the body; a flat panel display devicehaving a display surface and a rear surface; and a hinge mechanismhaving a hinge mount and a hinge arm fixed to the rear surface of thedisplay device.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method ofmounting a flat panel display device to a hinge mechanism having a hingemount, a hinge arm, and a pin portion rotating in the hinge mount, theflat panel display device having a display surface and a rear surface,the method including a step of fixing the rear surface of the flat paneldisplay device to the hinge arm. The fixing step is preferably carriedout by attaching the hinge arm and the rear surface of the flat displaydevice using a screw.

[0027] According to a further aspect of the present invention, an LCDdevice coupled to an outer case includes an LCD panel having a displaysurface and a rear surface; a backlight device having a first surfacefacing the rear surface of the LCD panel and a second surface attachedto the outer case; and a supporting frame for assembling the LCD paneland the backlight device.

[0028] It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description are exemplary andexplanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of theinvention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide afurther understanding of the invention and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of theinvention and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

[0030] In the drawings:

[0031]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a general portable computer;

[0032]FIG. 2 shows a conventional mounting structure of the LCD devicefor a portable computer;

[0033]FIGS. 3A and 3B are a perspective view and a front view,respectively, showing a mounting structure of the LCD device for aportable computer;

[0034] FIGS. 4A-4C show the LCD device according to a first embodimentof the present invention;

[0035]FIG. 5 shows a mounting structure in accordance with a firstembodiment in accordance with the present invention;

[0036]FIG. 6 shows a mounting structure in accordance with a secondembodiment in accordance with the present invention;

[0037]FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view showing the assembled state ofthe structure in FIG. 6;

[0038]FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a back mounting structure ofthe LCD device according to a third embodiment in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0039]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a back mounting structure ofthe LCD device according to a fourth embodiment in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0040]FIG. 10 is a front view showing the structure of FIG. 9;

[0041]FIG. 11 is a fifth embodiment in accordance with the presentinvention which is an alternate embodiment to FIG. 10 where the hingemount is fixed to the display case;

[0042]FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 are sixth; seventh, and eighth embodiments inaccordance with the present invention;

[0043]FIG. 15 is a side view showing a back mounting structure of theLCD device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention; and

[0044]FIG. 16 is a partial sectional view showing the assembled state ofthe structure in FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodimentsof the present invention, an example of which is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

[0046] The present invention provides a back mounting method and a backmounting structure for a display panel device in a portable computer.Moreover, the rear surface of the display panel device may be coupled toa hinge arm for further support of the display panel device.

[0047] FIGS. 4A-4C show a second embodiment of the present invention.Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the LCD device 10 has an LCD panel 12, abacklight unit 14, and a supporting frame 16. FIG. 4C shows an exampleof a detailed structure of the LCD device shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.Referring to FIG. 4C, the LCD device 10 has a first frame 14 g,preferably made of plastic, a reflector 14 f on the frame 14 g, a lightguide film 14 e, a diffuser or protecting film 14 d, a first prism sheet14 c, a second prism sheet 14 b, another diffuser or protecting film 14a, and the LCD panel 12. The first frame 14 g is coupled to a secondframe or supporting frame 16. At each corner of the first frame 14 g ascrew hole is preferably formed. Although FIG. 4C shows the first frame14 g as part of the backlight unit 14, the first frame 14 g can act asthe supporting frame 16.

[0048] To mount the LCD device 10 to the display case 122 (FIG. 1), theLCD device 10 is placed on the inner surface of the display case 122.Then, the case 122 and the LCD device 10 are attached to one another bybolts 128 into the screw hole 15 from the back of the display case 122.

[0049] As explained above, the structure shown in FIGS. 4A-4C has anadvantage in that the side space such as width d2 for fixing flange 114a of FIG. 3B is not needed and the size ratio between the display areaand the display case 122 is improved.

[0050]FIG. 5 shows the assembly of the LCD device 10 to the case 21 of aportable computer according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention. The computer includes a body 20 having an information inputdevice. The case 21 may cover the body 20 and is coupled to the bodythrough a hinge mechanism. Preferably at each corner of the case 21 athrough-hole 20 a is formed.

[0051] To mount the LCD device 10 to the case 21, the LCD device 10 isplaced on the inner surface of the case 21 such that the positions ofthe holes 20 a and the holes 5 coincide with each other, and screws 18are inserted into the holes 21 a and 15 from the back of the case 21.The through-hole 21 a is preferably stepped so that the head of thescrew 18 will not protrude from the outer surface of the case 21.

[0052] Although not shown in FIG. 5, the front case such as shown inFIG. 2 is preferably assembled with the case 21 for covering the edgesof the LCD device 10.

[0053]FIG. 6 shows a back mounting structure of the LCD device accordingto a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is adetailed partial sectional view showing the assembled state of the LCDdevice 10 and the case 21 in accordance with the second embodiment.

[0054] At the rear surface of the backlight device 14 of the LCD device10, fasteners 17 such as hooks made of plastic are formed, and the case21 has corresponding ribs 23. Preferably, the ribs 23 do not protrudeover the width of the supporting frame 16. A rib 23 has a stepped hole21 b. The fastener 17 is supported and latched by the stepped portion ofthe hole 21 b. To facilitate the disassembly or release of the fastener17 from the hole 21 b, the hole is preferably a through-hole extendingall the way to the outer surface of the case 21. The hole 21 b may becovered by a cover 21 c.

[0055] The fastener 17 has a compressible head which compresses into asmall diameter to allow the fastener to enter and slide through the hole21 b. Once the head reaches the stepped portion, the head returns to itsoriginal diameter and snaps or latches onto the stepped portion of therib 23. In order to dissemble or release the LCD device 10 from the case21, a pair of tweezers or similar tool can be adapted for compressingthe head of the fastener 17 from the back of the case 21 through thehole 21 b. The fastener 17 is unlatched and can freely slide out of thehole 30 b. As an alternative embodiment, the fastener 17 can be formedon the case 30 and the stepped hole can be formed at the rear face ofthe LCD device 10 to achieve similar results.

[0056]FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a mounting structure of theLCD device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.There may be one or more hinge mechanisms for the LCD device; however,for convenience of explanation, only one hinge mechanism will beexplained.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 8, a body 20 includes a hinge mount 22, where ahinge arm 24 is connected. The hinge arm 24 has a pin portion 24 a and aflat or extended portion 24 b. The former is for being mounted to thehinge mount 22, and the latter is for being coupled to the rear surfaceof the LCD device 10. The various hinge components may be separatepieces of attached members or a single structure.

[0058] The flat portion 24 b can be elongated in various directions andby various methods. FIG. 8 shows one example of the flat portion 24 bwhich is in the shape of an inverted “F.” At each end of the flatportion 24 b, a hole such as a through-hole 24 c is preferably formed.At the back surface of the LCD device 10, mounting holes 15 a are formedcorresponding to the positions of the through-holes 24 c. Thethrough-holes 24 c are preferably screw holes. In the display case 30, ahole such as a through-hole 30 a may be formed. Moreover, although hole30 a may be formed at the corresponding position of the through-hole 24c of the flat portion 24 b, alternatively, the flat portion may be in aninverted “L” shape.

[0059] To mount the LCD device 10, the body 20 and the display device 30are connected by the pin portion 24 a on the hinge mount 22. The displaycase 30, the hinge arm 24, and the LCD device 10 are preferably attachedtogether by screws 18 through the mounting hole 15 a and the screw hole15. Alternatively, nails or other similar known fasteners can be adoptedfor this purpose.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 which show a fourth embodiment of thehinge arm 24, the flat portion 24 b of the hinge arm 24 is extendedupwards and preferably extended to almost the entire height of the LCDdevice 10. In the flat portion 24 b according to this embodiment, it ispreferable to form a mounting hole 24 c and the through-hole 30 a at thesame position. It is also possible to form the holes 24 c and 30 a atdifferent positions relative to the display case. Thus, additionalmounting hole 15 a may not be necessary for this embodiment. Themounting structure of this embodiment may be stronger than that of thesecond embodiment. The LCD device 10, the elongated hinge arm 24, andthe display case 30 are fastened together by screws 18, for example.

[0061]FIG. 11 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, wherethe hinge mount 22 is preferably fixed to the display case 30, but afixed flange 26 is secured to the body 20. The structure of the hingearm 24 and other elements are similar to those shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0062] FIGS. 12-14 show three alternative embodiments of the embodimentsshown in FIGS. 9 and 11. In FIG. 12, the sixth embodiment of the presentinvention, the hinge arm 24 has a shape of the letter “E.” In FIG. 13,the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the hinge arm 24 hasthe shape of the letter “C.” In FIG. 14, the eighth embodiment of thepresent invention, the hinge arm 24 has the shape of the letter “H.” Thefastening holes may be formed at various positions on the hinge arm 24as desired to secure the hinge arm to the display case 30. Combinationsand other variations of these different embodiments are contemplated inthe present invention with the purpose of supporting the LCD panel,preferably through the back of the LCD panel and the case. For example,the seventh and eighth embodiments may be combined to provide a strongersupport of the LCD panel. Moreover, the hinge mount may be fixed to thebody 20 (FIG. 10) or the display case 30 (FIG. 11) in these embodiments.

[0063] The present invention contemplates the use of fastening devicesother than screws. One such alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 15and 16.

[0064]FIGS. 15 and 16 show the mounting structure according to a ninthembodiment of the present invention. At the rear surface of the LCDdevice 10, at least one fastener such as a hook 19, preferably made ofplastic or other suitable material, is formed. In the flat portion 24 bof the hinge arm 24, at least one corresponding through-hole is formed.In the display case, at least one stepped hole 30 b corresponding to thethrough-hole in the hinge arm 24 is formed to support and/or latch thefastener 19. To facilitate the disassembly or release of the fastener 19from the hole 30 b through the rear of the case 30, the hole 30 b ispreferably a through-hole.

[0065] To assemble the LCD device to the hinge arm 24 and display case30, the hinge arm 24 is mounted to the hinge mount 22 (as shown in FIGS.10 and 11) and the through-hole 24 c of the hinge arm 24 and the hole 30b are coincidentally placed. Then, the LCD device 10 with at least onefastener 19 is pressed into the hole 30 b and latched onto the displaycase 30, as shown in detail in FIG. 16. Here, the fastener 19 will slidethrough the hole 30 b and snap into place by the protruding or wingportions of the head of the fastener 19. To dissemble the LCD device 10from the display case 30, a device such as tweezers or other suitabletool can be adapted for squeezing the head or top portion of thefastener 19 from the back of the case 30 through the hole 30 b. Thefastener 19 is unlatched and can freely slide out of the hole 30 b. Thehole 30 b can be covered by a cover 30 c.

[0066] Alternatively, the fastener 19 can be formed on the case 30 andthe stepped hole can be formed at the rear face of the LCD device 10 toachieve similar results.

[0067] As explained above, the mounting method according to the presentinvention does not require unnecessary side space for mounting the LCDdevice on the computer. Thus, the ratio of the display area of the LCDdevice to the display case can be improved and maximized.

[0068] In the above embodiments of the present invention, although theLCD device has been used as one type of flat panel display device, otherflat panel display devices such as plasma display panels (PDP) and fieldemission displays (FED) may be used in accordance with the presentinvention. Moreover, in the above embodiments, other hinge mechanismsmay be used such as a gear hinge as disclosed, for example, in U.S.application Ser. No. 08/937,801 filed on Sep. 25, 1997 entitled,“DISPLAY WITH GEAR TYPE HINGE,” which is incorporated herein byreference.

[0069] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variation can be made in the portable computer andmethod for mounting a flat panel display device thereon of the presentinvention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modificationsand variations of this invention provided they come within the scope ofthe appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable computer comprising: a housingincluding first and second sections, the first section having aninformation input device and the second section having a case having afirst fastening element; a display panel including a second fasteningelement at a rear surface of the display panel, the case and the displaypanel being attached through the first and second fastening elements; ahinge coupling the first and the second sections to each other; and adisplay panel support member having a third fastening element, thedisplay panel support member being attached to the display panel throughthe third fastening element.
 2. The portable computer according to claim1, wherein the display panel support member is attached to the displaypanel through the first and third fastening elements.
 3. The portablecomputer according to claim 1, wherein the display panel support memberincludes: a first support element extending in one direction; and asecond support element extending in a second direction.
 4. The portablecomputer according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the first andsecond support elements includes a fastening hole.
 5. The portablecomputer according to claim 3, wherein the display panel support memberhas a shape of letter “F.”
 6. The portable computer according to claim3, wherein the first support element is substantially perpendicular tothe second support element.
 7. The portable computer according to claim1, wherein the display support member includes an arm extending upward.8. The portable computer according to claim 7, wherein the arm extendsat adjacent edge portions of the second section.
 9. The portablecomputer according to claim 7, wherein the arm extends substantially toa top portion of the second section.
 10. The portable computer accordingto claim 7, wherein the arm includes a fastening hole at a portion ofthe arm, the display panel being attached to the arm through thefastening hole of the arm.
 11. The portable computer according to claim7, wherein the arm has an “L” shape.
 12. The portable computer accordingto claim 7, wherein the arm has a “C” shape.
 13. The portable computeraccording to claim 7, wherein the arm has an “E” shape.
 14. The portablecomputer according to claim 7, wherein the arm has three sectionsforming an “H” shape.
 15. The portable computer according to claim 1,wherein the hinge is in the first section of the housing.
 16. Theportable computer according to claim 1, wherein the hinge is in thesecond section of the housing.
 17. The portable computer according toclaim 1, wherein the first fastening element includes a fastening hole.18. The portable computer according to claim 1, wherein the secondfastening element includes a fastening hole.
 19. The portable computeraccording to claim 1, further comprising a screw attaching the displaypanel to the second section through the first and second fasteningelements.
 20. The portable computer according to claim 1, wherein thefirst and second fastening elements include first and second fasteningholes, respectively, and the display panel is attached to the casethrough the first and second fastening elements using a screw.
 21. Theportable computer according to claim 1, wherein the display panelsupport member is coupled to the hinge.
 22. The portable computeraccording to claim 1, wherein the first fastening element includes atleast one fastening hole located at a corner of the second section. 23.The portable computer according to claim 22, wherein the first fasteningelement includes at least two fastening holes at two corners of thesecond section.
 24. The portable computer according to claim 22, whereinthe first fastening element includes four fastening holes at fourcorners of the second section.
 25. The portable computer according toclaim 1, wherein the second fastening element includes at least onefastening hole located at a corner of the display panel corresponding tothe fastening hole of the first fastening element.
 26. The portablecomputer according to claim 25, wherein the second fastening elementincludes at least two fastening holes at two corners of the displaypanel.
 27. The portable computer according to claim 25, wherein thesecond fastening element includes four fastening holes at four cornersof the display panel.
 28. The portable computer according to claim 1,wherein the first fastening element and the second fastening elementinclude a screw hole, and a screw is inserted from the rear of the caseto fasten the case to the display panel.
 29. The portable computeraccording to claim 28, wherein the screw hole of the case is located ata position corresponding to the display area of the display panel.
 30. Aportable computer comprising: a housing including first and secondsections, the first section having an information input device and thesecond section having a case having a first fastening element; a displaypanel including a second fastening element at a rear surface of thedisplay panel, the case and the display panel being attached through thefirst and second fastening elements; a hinge coupling the first and thesecond sections to each other; a display panel support member includingan arm extending upward and a third fastening element, the display panelsupport member being attached to the display panel through the first andthird fastening elements; wherein the arm includes a fastening hole at aportion of the arm, the display panel being attached to the arm throughthe fastening hole of the arm; wherein the first and second fasteningelements include first and second fastening holes, respectively, and thedisplay panel is attached to the case through the first and secondfastening elements using a screw; and wherein the display panel supportmember is coupled to the hinge.
 31. The portable computer according toclaim 30, wherein the second fastening element is not visible from aviewing direction of the display panel.
 32. The portable computeraccording to claim 30, wherein no fastening element is visible whenviewed from the viewing direction of the display panel.
 33. The portablecomputer according to claim 30, wherein the second fastening elementincludes protruding portions protruding away from the display panel. 34.The portable computer according to claim 33, wherein the protrudingportion includes a peg having a fastening hole.
 35. A flat panel displaydevice capable of being mounted to a housing, the flat panel displaydevice comprising: a backlight unit including a first frame having afastening part at a rear surface of the first frame; a flat paneldisplay adjacent to the backlight unit; and a second frame; wherein theflat panel display is between the first frame and the second frame, thefirst frame of the backlight unit capable of being fixed to the housingthrough the fastening part at the rear surface of the first frame. 36.The flat panel display device according to claim 35, wherein thefastening part includes a fastening hole.
 37. The flat panel displaydevice according to claim 36, further comprising a screw attaching thefirst frame of the backlight unit to the second frame through thefastening hole.
 38. The flat panel display device according to claim 36,wherein the fastening part includes at least two fastening holes at twocorners of the first frame.
 39. The flat panel display device accordingto claim 36, wherein the fastening part includes four fastening holes atfour corners of the first frame.
 40. The flat panel display deviceaccording to claim 35, wherein the backlight unit comprises: a reflectorunit adjacent the first frame; a light source unit adjacent thereflector unit; and a light guide unit adjacent the light source unit.41. The flat panel display device according to claim 40, furthercomprising a diffuser unit and a prism unit.
 42. The flat panel displaydevice according to claim 35, wherein the fastening part is not visiblefrom a viewing direction of the flat panel display.
 43. The flat paneldisplay device according to claim 35, wherein the flat panel displaydevice only shows the flat panel display and the second frame whenviewed from the viewing direction of the display.
 44. The flat paneldisplay device according to claim 35, wherein the fastening partincludes a protruding portion protruding away from the flat paneldisplay.
 45. The flat panel display device according to claim 44,wherein the protruding portion includes a peg having a fastening hole.46. The flat panel display device according to claim 44, wherein theprotruding portion includes a first part and a second part, the firstpart being larger than the second part.
 47. A flat panel display devicecapable of being mounted to a housing, the flat panel display devicecomprising: a backlight unit including: <a first frame having afastening part at a rear surface of the first frame; a reflector unitadjacent the first frame; a light source unit adjacent the reflectorunit; and a light guide unit adjacent the light source unit; a flatpanel display adjacent to the backlight unit; a second frame; and ascrew attaching the first frame of the backlight unit to the secondframe through the fastening part; wherein the flat panel display isbetween the first frame and the second frame, the first frame of thebacklight unit capable of being fixed to the housing through thefastening part at the rear surface of the first frame.
 48. The flatpanel display device according to claim 47, further comprising adiffuser unit and a prism unit.
 49. The flat panel display deviceaccording to claim 47, wherein the fastening part is not visible from aviewing direction of the flat panel display.
 50. The flat panel displaydevice according to claim 47, wherein the flat panel display device onlyshows the flat panel display and the second frame when viewed from theviewing direction of the display.
 51. The flat panel display deviceaccording to claim 47, wherein the fastening part includes a protrudingportion protruding away from the flat panel display.
 52. The flat paneldisplay device according to claim 51, wherein the protruding portionincludes a peg having a fastening hole.
 53. The flat panel displaydevice according to claim 51, wherein the protruding portion includes afirst part and a second part, the first part being larger than thesecond part.
 54. The flat panel display device according to claim 47,wherein the fastening part includes a fastening hole.
 55. A flat paneldisplay device comprising: a first frame having a fastening part at arear surface of the first frame; a second frame; and a flat paneldisplay between the first and second frames; wherein the first frame iscapable of being fixed to a housing of the data processing devicethrough the fastening part at the rear surface of the first frame.